WAFL

The WAFL is the state league of Western Australia, currently competing annually with nine teams: Claremont, East Fremantle, East Perth, Peel Thunder, Perth, South Fremantle, Subiaco, Swan Districts and West Perth.

The WAFL was the premier competition in Western Australia, until the West Coast Eagles were created by the VFL. West Coast immediately had success in the West, with the WA fans having the mentality of "us vs them" and the Eagles having an immediate impact on the field, winning their first flag only six years after being formed.

Soon after, the VFL decided it was time for another team in the West, The Fremantle Dockers, who, even though less successful on field than their fiercest rivals West Coast, they drew a large supporter base, which created a hostile environment for any team travelling to Western Australia.

The effect that the VFL had on the WAFL was that players who should have been playing for the teams in Western Australia, opted to move to Victoria, so that they could earn more money playing Football, and had more opportunity to play in more successful teams, while being challenged by the higher quality opposition.